Juridical Science

The Doctor of Juridical Science will prepare you for positions in academic leadership, legal research or policy making. Our faculty advisors, who are among the most highly cited legal scholars in the United States, supervise one to two students, giving them plenty of time to focus on your individualized aspirations. Along with regular meetings with your advisor, you will meet weekly with other SJD students for seminars that will help you master the necessary legal research and writing skills needed to complete your dissertation. In addition, you are assigned a law librarian to assist you with your research and encouraged to take supplementary classes to enhance your expertise for your dissertation.

As an SJD applicant, you should have a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from an accredited law school in the United States or another common law country. You will be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Enrollment is limited. If you're applying for the fall semester, you should submit your application and thesis proposal no later than April 1. If you're applying for the spring semester, you should submit your application materials by Oct. 15.  

The Office of Global Legal Studies will match SJD students with law faculty who have similar research interests and who are available to mentor SJD students. There is no need for you to contact law professors. If admitted, you'll be assigned a faculty advisor at the start of your first semester.